Surgical stapler having shaft recognition mechanism

Abstract

A handle assembly for a surgical stapler can comprise a rotatable actuation shaft. The actuation shaft can have a first rotational orientation in which it can actuate a jaw assembly in a staple firing mode, and a second rotational orientation in which it can actuate a jaw assembly in a reversing mode. The handle assembly can include an articulation mechanism including a ball screw to selectively articulate the jaw assembly relative to an elongate shaft. The handle assembly can include a mechanism to lock out selection of the staple firing mode and actuation of the articulation mechanism if a reload shaft is not securely coupled to the handle assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A handle assembly for a surgical stapler, the handle assembly comprising:
 a handle body comprising a stationary handle and a movable handle pivotably coupled to the handle body, the handle body comprising a coupler configured to removably couple to an instrument shaft having a stapler jaw assembly;   an actuation shaft mechanically coupled to the movable handle for manual actuation thereof, the actuation shaft slidable within the handle body along a longitudinal axis, the actuation shaft selectively rotatable between a firing orientation in which movement of the movable handle longitudinally slides the actuation shaft a first direction and a reverse orientation in which movement of the movable handle longitudinally slides the actuation shaft a second direction opposite the first direction;   an articulation mechanism configured to articulate the stapler jaw assembly relative to the instrument shaft when the instrument shaft is coupled to the handle body:   an articulation lockout mechanism preventing operation of the articulation mechanism when no instrument shaft is coupled to the coupler and allowing operation of the articulation mechanism when the instrument shaft is coupled to the coupler; and   a shaft coupling firing lockout mechanism, the shaft coupling firing lockout mechanism preventing rotation of the actuation shaft to the firing orientation when no instrument shaft is coupled to the coupler and allowing selective positioning of the actuation shaft to the firing orientation when the instrument shaft is coupled to the coupler.   
     
     
         2 . The handle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the articulation mechanism comprises a release mechanism operable to disengage the articulation mechanism and reset the stapler jaw assembly to a longitudinally centered position relative to the instrument shaft. 
     
     
         3 . The handle assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the articulation lockout mechanism engages the release mechanism of the articulation mechanism when no instrument shaft is coupled to the coupler. 
     
     
         4 . The handle assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the articulation lockout mechanism comprises a lockout sleeve at the coupler of the handle body, and at least one lockout arm coupled to the lockout sleeve and extending proximally from the lockout sleeve to a proximal end, and a locking sleeve at the proximal end of the at least one lockout arm. 
     
     
         5 . The handle assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the locking sleeve engages the articulation mechanism to prevent operation of the articulation mechanism with no instrument shaft coupled to the coupler. 
     
     
         6 . The handle assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one lockout arm comprises two lockout arms coupled to the lockout sleeve and each extending proximally from the lockout sleeve. 
     
     
         7 . The handle assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the lockout sleeve, the at least one lockout arm, and the locking sleeve are biased distally with no instrument shaft coupled to the coupler. 
     
     
         8 . The handle assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the lockout sleeve is moved proximally when the instrument shaft is coupled to the coupler. 
     
     
         9 . The handle assembly of  claim 4 , further comprising a rotation mechanism configured to selectably position the actuation shaft in one of the firing orientation and the reverse orientation. 
     
     
         10 . The handle assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one lockout arm is engageable with the rotation mechanism to prevent rotation of the actuation shaft to the firing orientation when no instrument shaft is coupled to the coupler. 
     
     
         11 . A handle assembly for a surgical stapler, the handle assembly comprising:
 a handle body comprising a stationary handle and a movable handle pivotably coupled to the handle body; the handle body having a coupler configured to removably couple to an instrument shaft;   an actuation shaft mechanically coupled to the movable handle for manual actuation thereof, the actuation shaft slidable within the handle body along a longitudinal axis and rotatable relative to the longitudinal axis to selectively position the actuation shaft in one of a firing orientation and a reverse orientation;   a rotation mechanism to selectively rotate the actuation shaft between the firing orientation and the reverse orientation, the rotation mechanism comprising a gear rotatably fixed to the actuation shaft; and   a shaft coupling firing lockout mechanism, the shaft coupling firing lockout mechanism engageable with the gear to prevent rotation of the actuation shaft when no instrument shaft is coupled to the coupler.   
     
     
         12 . The handle assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the shaft coupling firing lockout mechanism comprises at least one lockout arm comprising a lockout tab, the lockout tab engaging the gear when no instrument shaft is coupled to the coupler. 
     
     
         13 . The handle assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one lockout arm is movable when the instrument shaft is coupled to the coupler such that the lockout tab is disengaged from the gear. 
     
     
         14 . The handle assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the gear comprises a slot formed therein, the lockout tab positionable in the slot to interfere with rotation of the gear. 
     
     
         15 . The handle assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the shaft coupling firing lockout mechanism comprises a lockout sleeve positioned adjacent the coupler, the lockout sleeve coupled to the lockout arm. 
     
     
         16 . The handle assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the lockout sleeve is longitudinally movable when the instrument shaft is coupled to the coupler. 
     
     
         17 . The handle assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the lockout arm further comprises a second lockout tab protruding therefrom and a lockout recess between the lockout tab and the second lockout tab.